The Clock Tower (Turnul cu ceas) of Sighișoara
The Clock Tower is the symbol of Sighișoara and … a wonderful viewing platform over the city of Sighișoara. It is open daily from 9:00 a.m. (10:00 a.m. on weekends) to 6:00 p.m. Including the museum, admission costs 16 lei (approx. $3.40) for adults and just under one euro per child.
The tower was built in the second half of the 14th century as a defensive structure for the main gate of the castle and as a council seat (until the end of 1656). The Clock Tower acquired its present appearance at the end of the 17th century, when a devastating fire, which started in the lower town, spread to the tower on April 30, 1676. The Stundturm has a total height of about 64 meters, including the weather vane. The walls are 2.4 meters thick on the ground floor, the height of the masonry is 39.5 meters (since 1804), and the tower has five floors. On the top floor, the tower is surrounded by an open wooden gallery, which also served as a fire watchtower and lookout point over the city.
We would like to thank Urlaub-in-Rumänien for permission to use these images.
